KUALA LUMPUR: MYAirline Sdn Bhd could face a penalty of RM200,000, minimum, if the airline fails to refund its passengers, says Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.

“We are discussing with Bank Negara Malaysia to see how purchases done via credit card or debit card, and even cash, can be claimed if they have receipts,” the Deputy Transport Minister said in a Special Chambers session in Parliament Monday (Oct 16).

According to Paragraph 12 of the Malaysian Aviation Consumer Protection Code 2016, all affected passengers should be refunded the total amount, including taxes and fees, for trips which did not materialise within 30 days.

The Transport Ministry is monitoring the situation to ensure that the complaints of affected passengers are resolved completely, he said.

Earlier, Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut) submitted a motion to discuss the MYAirline issue.

Khairil said it was crucial to discuss the controversy surrounding MYAirline as 125,000 passengers were affected by its sudden suspension, which involved RM20mil in ticket sales.

“There is a need for the minister to explain how this low-cost airline can face significant financial pressure till it was forced to suspend operations pending shareholder restructuring and recapitalisation.

“This motion should be expedited as the country’s good image in tourism is at stake, in addition to (the number of) passengers affected,” he added.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul then ruled that the matter would be heard in the special chambers.

On Monday morning (Oct 16), Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the licence of MYAirline Sdn Bhd will be suspended, which will be announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).